Arts writer Mike Devlin picks his favourite upcoming events including a John Waters double feature at The Vic Theatre on Sunday.
Where:The Vic Theatre, 808 Douglas St., VictoriaWhen:Sunday, July 6, 5:30 p.m.Tickets:$14.29 fromvictoriafilmfestival.com
Why:Come for the gloriously garish colour schemes, kitschy soundtracks, and outré cameos, but stay for the once-in-2025 experience that is seeing two key films in the canon of writer-director John Waters on the big screen.Pink Flamingos(1972) andHairspray(1988) are offered here as a double-bill, though the films could not be more aesthetically opposed; the former is cult-classic surrealism writ large, while the latter deftly mixes satire and sentiment. Both films are designed “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant” by the U.S. Library of Congress, though Pink Flamingos was savaged by censors at the time of its release “for a wide range of perversions in explicit detail.” One person’s trash is another person’s treasure, the saying goes. In the case of Waters, it’s practically his professional motto.
Where:Market Square, 560 Johnson St., VictoriaWhen:Saturday, July 5, 1 p.m.Admission:$5 at the door
Why:The lower courtyard of Market Square is home to Big Patio Days, a bi-weekly music series at the always-hopping Whistle Buoy Brewing Co., on now through Sept. 20. The second annual summer staple in Market Square hosted by Whistle Buoy Brewing Co. has extended its patio for the series, which includes food, party games and music. The event set for Saturday is a country cavalcade dubbed Victoria Stampede, featuring Victoria country bands Burks & Gunn and JaimesonRhy and Edmonton act The Denim Daddies. Saddle up, cowpokes.
Where:Hermann’s Jazz Club, 753 View St., VictoriaWhen:July 3-4, 7 p.m. (doors at 5:30)Tickets:$30,hermannsjazz.com
Why:Victoria has its share of tributes to The Beatles, many of which — The Sutcliffes included — provide excellent and accurate renditions of songs by the greatest rock’n’ roll band of all-time. What makes this two-night stand special is how the Fab Four’s catalogue is being divided to reflect its early years (Friday) and later, studio-centric era (Saturday). There is never a bad time to revisit The Beatles, but this Hermann’s Jazz Club stand is a sure bet.
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